The story concerns three friends, one of whom, an unassuming insurance clerk, becomes enthralled with a glamorous young woman who entices him to kill her abusive husband. Once the murder has occurred she disappears and the clerk finds himself falling into an abyss of betrayal masterminded by one of his friends - who is also the narrator of the story and whose identity is revealed in the closing pages of the novel. Atmospheric, it is written with a strong sense of irony and an engaging sense of humour. A page-turner, with rewarding imagery and ideas, a satisfying ending with a triple twist, and a pleasure to read DBC Pierre Alcaen Sanchez is an insurance clerk who dreams of better things. He spends his spare time viewing properties he cant afford to buy. The estate agent showing him round one of these exclusive homes is the enigmatic and attractive Laura Salinas. When Alcaen discovers she is married to an abusive husband he is persuaded to kill the husband, drawing himself deep into a net of deceit as he strives to win Lauras affections. The consequences of the murder are unexpected and it is here that Prados narrative game, his refusal to disclose which of his characters is narrating the story, turns the screw further. Prado has a poets eye for an original image and has masterfully plotted his story, linking small details to great effect. It is a clever novel and the tension builds to an unforeseen denouement, unforeseen in several ways. (Kirkus UK)